Sectioning scheme applied to two or four foot cross tee members associated with a ceiling grid system and for resizing both the cross tee and associated ceiling tile for installation at a border cut location between a main tee and parallel extending wall angle

ABSTRACT

A cross tee incorporating a measurement scheme for reduce sizing both the cross tee and ceiling tile to fit within a border less than an original length of the cross tee and which spans between a main tee and a parallel extending and wall supported wall angle. The cross tee body exhibiting a tile support and web in cross section and terminating in first and second connector clips. A first marking scheme is applied to the body and includes a first center point designation, with at least one additional 6″ off center designation outwardly and towards each of the connector clip ends. A second marking scheme is applied to the body in complementing fashion to the first marking and identifies 1″ incrementing distances from the center point designation, a furthest-most designation being spaced a remaining distance from the center point of an approximately located connector clip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/193,603 filed on Jul. 29, 2005, and entitled Sectioning Scheme Applied to Two or Four Foot Cross Tee Members Associated with a Ceiling Grid System and Accounting for an Offset Existing Between an Associated End of a Cross Tee and a Center Point of the Main Tee Measured to an Oppositely Positioned Wall Angle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cross tee members utilized in a ceiling grid assembly. More specifically, the present invention is directed a sectioning scheme for reduce sizing a cross tee and associated ceiling tile for installation between a main tee and a parallel extending wall angle. The scheme includes the provision of visual markings at specified locations along the cross tee, relative to a midpoint location thereof and for the purpose of facilitating sectioning of the cross tee (thereby reducing its length to something less than its nominal 2′ or 4′ initial length) without the requirement of a tape measure and prior to installation of the reduced sized tee at the border location existing between the main tee and the wall angle. The sectioning scheme also provides for quick reduced sizing (via visual measurement from the cross tee between the main tee and wall angle) of the corresponding ceiling tile.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Suspended structures for creating ceiling grids are fairly well known in the art, the concept behind such structures being to provide suspended support for ceiling tiles. The tiles are typically rectangular shaped and acoustically insulating in nature and function to recreate a uniform and “dropped” ceiling appearance to an interior enclosure with an unfinished ceiling, such enclosures including commercial building interiors, as well as basement ceilings in residential dwellings.

A shortcoming of the prior art has been the requirement for taking time consuming measurements of a border dimension (this being defined as a distance less than the nominal/original/uncut dimension of a 2′ or 4′ cross tee) existing between a main tee and a parallel extending wall angle. The difficulty associated with such crude measuring techniques, as well as other prior art measurement schemes incorporated into any type of main/cross tee ceiling grid or wall angle, remains a heretofore unaddressed problem in the relevant art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a measurement scheme applied to a cross tee member for reduce sizing the cross tee to fit within a border dimension less than the nominal/original length of the cross tee (and associated ceiling tile) and which spans a most proximate located main tee and a parallel extending and wall supported wall angle. The present invention makes possible quick and easy sectioning of a portion of a two or four foot cross tee, and in order to mount the cross tee between the inter-engaging location of a main tee and a parallel spaced apart wall angle, as well as quick and visual re-sizing of the wall tile for the border location.

As is know, the cross tee is of conventional construction and exhibits an overall length with first and second opposite lip supporting edges. A cross section of the cross tee includes a tile support and a web extending in substantially perpendicular fashion from a midpoint of the support. First and second connector clips extend from first and second edges of the cross tee. An overall rated length of the cross tee, such as two feet (equaling the sum of 23″ in length plus ½″ each for first and second opposite end extending connector clips) or four feet (again equaling the sum of 47″ in length plus ½″ each for the connector clips) corresponds to a lineal distance measured between center line locations associated with inserting portions of the connector clips.

The indicia marking scheme applied to the cross tee includes a first center point designation, this corresponding to 24″ from a selected edge for a 4′ cross tee or 12″ in reference to a 2′ cross tee. Additional indicia markings are spaced at 6″ outwardly, from the center point, and towards either of first and second connect clip ends.

In the case of a 4′ cross tee, 6″, 12″ and 18″ designations are marked along each outwardly extending side of the tee, as measured from its center point (24″) marking (an outermost 24″ designation not marked but understood to coincide with the placement and engagement aspects of the outermost extending connector clip). In the further case of a 2′ cross tee, a 6″ designation is established at a midpoint between the center point (12″) and arrangement of each end extending connector clip.

Individual and additional one inch markings are further provided, according to a subset identifying scheme, in cooperation with the 6″ spaced apart, off center markings. In the specific instance of the 4′ cross tee, hanger wire location holes are provided offset from each center (24″), and intermediate extending end (12″) location.

The indicia scheme permits for quick inspection and sectioning of a selected portion of the cross tee, without reference to other measurement tools such as a tape measure, and in order to achieve a correct lineal distance corresponding to a remaining (less than 48″ or 24″) parallel distance between a wall angle and a proximate and parallel extending main runner. This can be accomplished by holding the (initially uncut and as yet un-secured) cross tee in a rotated contact with the wall angle, this preventing the connector clip from giving a false measurement by causing the tile edge to abut the projecting edge of the wall angle

The cross tee is positioned so that it extends underneath (and perpendicular to) the main tee. The cross tee is marked and cut at a location which aligns with the furthest lip edge of the main tee. The cross tee is then mounted and its dimension is likewise employed to cut and mount the associated wall tile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a room enclosure situated ceiling grid assembly and including main runners, wall runners, and angled wall angle for supporting ceiling tiles;

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view illustrating an arrangement of main tee runner, cross tee runner, and wall angle, and in particular an offset existing between a linear dimension extending between opposing lip edges of the cross runner and a corresponding linear dimension extending between a main runner web and an associated surface of a wall angle;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a 4′ cross tee with indicia marking schemes according to a selected variant;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a 2′ cross tee with reduced indicia marking schemes according to a further selected variant; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cross tee manipulated between the wall angle and main tee in order to visually identify a location for cutting the cross tee and associated ceiling tile and the border location.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a general illustration is shown at 10 of a drop ceiling grid structure which incorporates the marking system according to the present invention. The grid structure shown is of a typical configuration and which includes parallel and extending main tees (or runners) 12, 14, 16, et. seq., extending in parallel and spaced apart fashion. Cross wise extending cross tees are shown and are referenced by aligning pluralities 18, 18′, 18″, 20, 20′, 20″ and 22, 22′, and 22,″ et. seq., these being sub-pluralities being supported at aligning ends by the main tees shown 12 and 14. Surface mounted wall angles are shown in FIG. 1 at 24 and 26, it being further understood that the present inventions pertain to the sectioning of selected cross tees 18, 20 and 22 extending between the most proximate located main tee 12 and the parallel extending wall angle 24, this in order to quickly visually inspect and achieve a desired border dimension which is less than the nominal (24″ or 48″) dimension associated with a typical 2′ or 4′ cross tee.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a partial exploded view illustrates an arrangement of selected main tee runner 12, cross tee runner 18, and wall angle 24. Both the cross tee runner 18 and main tee runner 12 shown include a tile support lip or ledge (see at 28 for cross tee and at 30 for main tee) as well as a web extending in substantially perpendicular fashion from a midpoint of the support (see further at 32 for cross tee and at 34 for main tee). Wall angle 24 further exhibits first (wall secured) and second (base extending and tile supporting) angled and interconnected edges, and as shown at 36 and 38 in FIG. 2.

Referring again to FIG. 2, an exemplary representation is provided of a cross tee 18 and which (as will be better described the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) exhibit an overall length 40 of either 23″ (for a two foot length) or 47″ (for a four foot length) which extends from oppositely extending ends of the cross tee sections, this not factoring in the configuration of the end extending connector clips, further shown at 42 and 44 in FIG. 2 and which each add such as a ½″ on center additional distance to the main body of the cross tee. Accordingly, a typical (non-sectioned) measurement between parallel situated main tees (such as between 18′ and 18″ in FIG. 1) is either 24″ (for a 2′ feet cross tee application) or 48″ (for a 4′ cross tee application).

Shown at 46 in FIG. 3 is a 4′ cross tee and further, at 48 in FIG. 4, a 2′ cross tee. First and second connector clips are provided at opposite ends of each cross tee, shown is one connector clip end 50 in FIG. 3 for the reduced length cross tee illustrated, as well as at 52 and 54 in FIG. 4, which extend from first and second edges of the cross tees 46 and 48. An overall rated length of the cross tee, such as two feet (equaling the sum of 23″ in length plus ½″ each to a center of first and second opposite end extending connector clips) or four feet (again equaling the sum of 47″ in length plus ½″ each to the center of each of the connector clips) and which corresponds to a lineal distance measured between center line locations associated with inserting portions of the connector clips.

Referring first to FIG. 3, an indicia marking scheme is applied to the cross tee and includes a first center point designation 56, this corresponding to 24″ from a selected edge (including associated connector clip) for a 4′ cross tee or 12″ in reference to a 2′ cross tee. Additional indicia markings are spaced at 6″ extending outwardly, see at 58, 60 and 62 from the center point 56, and towards either of the first 50 and second (not shown) connector clip ends. The location 60 is at 12″ from centerpoint 56 for the 4′ cross tee 46, this location 60 can be a punch out hole for receiving a 2′ or 4′ tee.

In the case of the 4′ cross tee 46, the 6″, 12″ and 18″ designations are marked along each outwardly extending side of the tee, as measured from its center point (24″) marking (an outermost 24″ designation not marked but understood to coincide with the placement and engagement aspects of the outermost extending connector clip). In the further case of a 2′ cross tee, a 6″ designation is established at a midpoint between the center point (12″) and arrangement of each end extending connector clip.

Individual and additional one inch markings are further provided, see at 64, 66, 68, et. seq., according to a subset identifying scheme, in cooperation with the 6″ spaced apart, off center markings (again including central designation 56 and progressive end extending and 6″ on center spaced designations 58, 60, and 62). In the specific instance of the 4′ cross tee, hanger wire location holes, see at 70 and 72, are provided offset from each center 56 (24″), and intermediate extending end (12″) location and can be used for securing hanger wires as known. An offset is shown at 74 and which represents an incremental end distance established between a center point location of the connector clip 50 and an outward most located 1″ on center designation 74 (this designation identification a 23½″ linear distance extending from the center point 56. This offset distance is usually 1″, ore or less, but is not significant as to the measurement scheme employed herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a similar and reduced size scheme associated with the 2′ cross tee 48 and by which a first center point designation is shown at 78, this corresponding to 12″ from a selected edge (including associated connector clip). Additional indicia markings are spaced at 6″ extending outwardly and include each of oppositely spaced markings 80 and 82 (owing to the complete length of the 2′ cross tee 48 which is illustrated, and rather than only ½ of the overall length of tile 4′ cross tee 46 being shown in FIG. 3).

Also again shown are individual and additional one inch markings, see at 84, 86, 88, et. seq., according to a subset identifying scheme, in cooperation with the 6″ spaced apart center marking 78 and oppositely progressing off center markings 80 and 82. A 1″ (more or less) offset is shown at each end of the 2′ cross tee 48, see at 90 and 92, and which represents an incremental end distance established between a center point location of each connector clip 52 and 54 (this again being the location of the connector clip which is evenly aligned with the centerline of the perpendicular extending main tee when it is engaged thereto) and an outward most located 1″ on center designation, such as identified at 94 and 96 (each at 11½ inches from the center point 78) for respective opposite ends of the cross tee 48.

The primary 6″ spaced apart scheme and complementary secondary 1″ indicia scheme permits for quick inspection and sectioning of a selected portion of the cross tee, without reference to other measurement tools such as a tape measure, and in order to achieve a correct lineal distance corresponding to a remaining (less than 48″ or 24″) parallel distance between a wall angle and a proximate and parallel extending main runner. Referring to FIG. 5, this is again accomplished by positioning the cross tee 18′ in a rotated fashion so that its tile supporting edge 28 contacts the projecting wall angle edge 26, this preventing the connector clip (see at 44) from contacting the wall angle and giving a false measurement. The cross tee 18 is then positioned so that it extends underneath and perpendicular to the main tee 12. A defined edge location 98 of the cross tee represents where it aligns with a furthest edge of the main tee tile lip, and marks where the cross tee is sectioned.

The cross tee scheme is established by the secondary 1″ scheme incorporated within the primary 6″ off center markings, and as again shown by end proximate 1″ designation 76 in FIG. 3 or either of opposite end proximate 1″ designations 94 and 96 in FIG. 4. Upon sectioning the cross tee according to the above technique, the cross tee is rotated 180° so that the remaining connector clip is engaged to the mounting location identified in the main tee (in the desired inserting and in-line establishing fashion) and so that the “T” shaped and flattened cross section end profile of the cross tee (where the sectioning occurred) is thus supported upon the bottom extending ledge of the mounted wall angle. The indicia scheme applied to the cross tee is then employed to provide a quick and accurate width dimension for likewise sectioning the associated ceiling tile (see at 100 in FIG. 1), and without the requirement of a separate tape measurement.

Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the Scope of the appended claims: 

1. A cross tee incorporating a measurement scheme for reduce sizing the cross tee as well as resizing an associated ceiling tile to fit within a border dimension which is less than an original overall length of the cross tee and which spans between a main tee and a parallel extending and wall supported wall angle, said cross tee comprising: a body exhibiting an overall length with first and second opposite lip supporting edges, a cross section of said body exhibiting a tile support and a web extending in substantially perpendicular fashion from a midpoint of the support; first and second connector clips extending from first and second edges of said body, each of said connector clips exhibiting a center line when engaged with the main tee; a first marking scheme applied to said body and including a first center point designation, at least one additional designation being spaced at 6″ outwardly from said center point designation and towards each of said first and second connector clip ends; and a second marking scheme applied to said body in complementing fashion to said first marking scheme and identifying 1″ incrementing distances from said first center point designation, a furthest-most designation being spaced an incremental distance from said center point of an approximately located connector clip; said body being rotated so that said tile support contacts a projecting edge of the wall angle and prevents the connector clip from misaligning contact, said body overlapping an underside of the main tee, in perpendicular fashion, said body being cut at a location aligning with a furthest edge of the crosswise extending main tee, said scheme providing a width dimension for the ceiling tile.
 2. The cross tee as described in claim 1, said body exhibiting an overall length of 4′ such that said first marking scheme further comprises 6″, 12″ and 18″ designations marked along each outwardly extending side of said body, as measured from its center point.
 3. The cross tee as described in claim 2, said body further comprising hanger wire location holes provided offset from selected locations associated with said first marking scheme.
 4. The cross tee as described in claim 1, the cross tee exhibiting a specified shape and size, an outermost one of said second markings measuring ½″-1″ from said centerline location associated with said associated connector clip.
 5. The cross tee as described in claim 1, said body having a specified shape and size and with a rated distance of forty eight (48″) inches.
 6. The cross tee as described in claim 1, said body having a specified shape and size and with a rated distance of twenty four (24″) inches. 